[Carl in Tampa]

I've been in Tampa (this time) since 1984. I have a large screen on my pool deck. (I've never heard them called birdcages anywhere other than in The Villages.)

I've never slit a screen, and I've had to replace panels only twice. Once was when a very large peacock was walking on the screen top and fell through.

The other time was when a tree trimmer cut a large limb from an oak tree and let it fall onto a top panel. (He paid for the replacement.)